Abilene TX vs Lubbock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.2% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 64.6% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 8.3% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Lubbock
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Lubbock
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $60,487 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 19.0% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.8% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Lubbock
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Lubbock
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Abilene +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.4% | Abilene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Lubbock
17.4 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 17.4 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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